Systems and methods for distributing loads from fluid conduits, including aircraft fuel conduits

Abstract

Systems and methods for distributing loads from fluid conduits, including aircraft fuel conduits. An aircraft configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a fuselage portion, a wing portion, and a fuel tank carried by least one of the fuselage portion and the wing portion. The aircraft also includes a spar carried by at least one of the fuselage portion and the wing portion. The spar includes a first spar rib and a second spar rib spaced apart from the first spar rib. The aircraft further includes a fluid conduit proximate to the spar and operably coupled to the fuel tank. A support member carrying the fluid conduit is operably coupled to the spar. The support member can be positioned to transfer at least approximately all of the axial loads from the fluid conduit to at least one of the first spar rib and the second spar rib.

1. A method for distributing loads from a fluid conduit, the method comprising:
 attaching a support member to a fluid conduit, the support member including (a) a first support member portion at one side of the fluid conduit, and (b) a second support member portion at a generally opposite side of the fluid conduit as the first support member portion, wherein the first support member portion includes a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, and wherein the second support member portion includes a third attachment portion and a fourth attachment portion; 
 attaching the support member and fluid conduit to a spar, the spar including a first spar rib and a second spar rib spaced apart from the first spar rib, and wherein attaching the support member and fluid conduit to the spar comprises attaching the first attachment portion and third attachment portion to the first spar rib, and attaching the second attachment portion and fourth attachment portion to the second spar rib; and 
 transferring at least approximately all the axial loads of the fluid conduit from the support member to at least one of the first spar rib and the second spar rib. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 attaching the first attachment portion to the first spar rib comprises inserting a first fastener through a first slot in the first attachment portion and a first bracket on the first spar rib to operably couple the first attachment portion to the first spar rib; 
 attaching the second attachment portion to the second spar rib comprises inserting a second fastener through a second slot in the second attachment portion and a second bracket on the second spar rib to operably couple the second attachment portion to the second spar rib; 
 attaching the third attachment portion to the first spar rib comprises inserting a third fastener through a third slot in the third attachment portion and a third bracket on the first spar rib to operably couple the third attachment portion to the first spar rib; and 
 attaching the fourth attachment portion to the second spar rib comprises inserting a fourth fastener through a fourth slot in the fourth attachment portion and a fourth bracket on the second spar rib to operably couple the fourth attachment portion to the second spar rib. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the spar further includes (a) a spar web between the first spar rib and the second spar rib, and (b) a fluid passageway extending at least partially through the spar web, and wherein the method further comprises:
 attaching a first coupling at a first end of the fluid conduit to a spar coupling at least proximate to the fluid passageway so that the fluid conduit is in fluid communication with the fluid passageway; and 
 transferring at least approximately all the shear loads from the fluid conduit to the spar web. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  wherein attaching a first coupling at the first end of the fluid conduit to a spar coupling comprises forming a bayonet fitting between the first coupling and spar coupling. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3  wherein:
 transferring at least approximately all the axial loads of the fluid conduit from the support member comprises transferring the axial loads in at least one of a first direction generally normal to the spar and a second direction generally opposite the first direction; and 
 transferring at least approximately all the shear loads from the fluid conduit to the spar web comprises transferring the shear loads in a third direction generally normal to at least one of the first and second directions. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein attaching a support member to a fluid conduit includes attaching a support member to a fluid conduit having a first wall aligned with a flow direction in the fluid conduit and a second wall disposed annularly around the first wall, the second wall being aligned with the flow direction. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein attaching a support member to a fluid conduit comprises attaching the support member using common hand tools.